Carrie

I use a whisk or an immersion blender (google immersion blender or stick blender) With my recipe, I get to trace within a couple minutes. Not enough time to walk out of the room.

I don't rebatch, are you making soap and then rebatching it?

I have done 1lb batches but only measuring in grams and being very careful. If you are only trying to test colors. I'd go with 1lb (measured in grams) or 2lb and then divide into smaller batches for color testing. I read somewhere that someone does this in paper cups and can test 10 or more color/scents at a time.

Quote:

SHIPPING NOTE: Our Bulk bases are poured into a box that fits perfectly in a large flat rate box. This means that shipping for one 25 pound block of M&P base is just $12.95 plus insurance to any US address. Just put a note in the comment box of the shopping cart to request this option!

Was this continued? Couldn't find it on their website.

It appears they have removed it from the site. It was at the bottom of each of the 25lb and higher options. You may want to email and ask if it's still available.

I don't use very many other butters, just cocoa and kpangan. The kpangan doesn't get grainy (so far) and I'm not a huge fan of cocoa butter on my skin so I don't use it much.

Sorry, I'm no help there.

Yes, Pam, that's exactly it. Shea Moisture Beads.

Shea butter does that, a lot.

Some say that chilling it will prevent it. I've never been able to prevent. Henry Ford said "If you can't fix it, feature it." and I make a point of telling people that it showes there is a high percentage of shea in the product, unlike store bought shea products that sometimes only contain enough shea for label appeal.

I was looking at the Brambleberry.com site and saw this

SHIPPING NOTE: Our Bulk bases are poured into a box that fits perfectly in a large flat rate box. This means that shipping for one 25 pound block of M&P base is just $12.95 plus insurance to any US address. Just put a note in the comment box of the shopping cart to request this option!

That's a great price for shipping no matter what where you live.

That red from OT... no likey. Takes WAY too much to get a red, and I still ended up with something with a pink cast to it.

Thanks, I was planning to order but won't.

Are you using the SAP for FCO? It is different than for coconut 76.

Has anyone here tried the new Red from Oregon Trails. There was picture on the site of a soap swirled with it.

I make sure to mix the lye and water at least equal parts. I've read that it takes equal parts to dissolve completely.

Agbanga Karite shea is a high quality unrefined shea. When purchased through a co-op the price is about the same. It is also Fair Trade.

Try some from the next co-op.

I go to the lye calc at MMS http://www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc2.php and enter my recipe then click calculate. At the bottom of the next page, it has a resize box. Change your weight from 16oz to 64oz and enter. It will recalculate everything.

There was a thread at the Dish, I think, that talked about the new pyrex can explode but the older pyrex didn't.

For my recipe, light trace is over 2 minutes with a stick blender. I watch my soap color. The color of the batter changes 3 times for me. My oils are tan colored and when I pour in the lye there is a color change to a more white color. Then, all of a sudden, it gets lighter again. When it gets lighter for a third time, drips will make an indent on the surface. That, for me, is light trace. I can swirl 2-3 colors in my slab mold at that point. Any further and I may get one color.

Was it sealed? Is there a possibility that you stored some other oil in that container and forgot? That would be very strange for CO to go bad that quickly.

Meridith made a wonderful triple milk soap a couple years ago with Peak Coconut Milk FO. I loved it so much, I talked her out of several bars.

Yes, those were most likely made with a slab mold. Like a rectangle cake pan size. Then they cut the soap into bars that are typically about 3x2x1. About the same size or slightly larger than a bar of store bought soap.

Does JustScent still have Perfect Pear? I loved that for tarts but could never get it to throw in a candle.

Lmaoooo...

I'm sitting here reading this and i'm wondering why isn't ANYONE saying you CAN'T put Melt & Pour in lip balms!!!

Don't mind me. I don't think I slept well and I'm stressing over a M&P swap cuz they keep calling me into work on my days to get it done! So I totally read Melt & Pour SOAP in the recipie.

:tiptoe:

I believe she/he meant to melt everything, then pour. (melt and then pour)

I would also recommend TKB, just make sure to read all the info for each color to make sure it can be used in the products you make.

I love that you can get the sample sizes from TKB. There is about a teaspoon in the sample and that is plenty for testing. They have a 30 color sample pack that is a great deal.

If you want to go with Bramble Berry colors, I have a set that I'm not using. Let me know if you're interested.

I use clothes pins. Put the wick through the center of the spring and then secure it with the clothes pin. Nothing moves and the wicks are held tight. They are about 25 for $1 at the dollar store. You can't beat the price.

Search the Archives. There were a couple good threads on OCM.

Adam has had his hosting business for less than two months, how can anyone have heard "nothing but good things about them here."

Can I ask what you had for Thanksgiving that you have a "few" velveeta boxes? I'm thinking the worlds biggest batch of Mac N Cheese.

Your lavender lemongrass shows a price of $0.00 but adds to the cart at $5.50. Nothing is adding double but when I hit checkout I get an IE error.